Hey fellow bookworms! Are you ready to dive into a world where classic tales get a modern makeover? We’re here to take you on a journey through the realms of young adult literature, where timeless stories are given a fresh twist for a whole new generation. Get ready to fall in love with these reimagined classics!
- Cinder by Marissa Meyer – What happens when you mix Cinderella with cyborgs and space adventures? You get this gem of a book! Follow Cinder, a talented mechanic, as she navigates a futuristic world filled with intrigue, romance, and a wicked stepmother.
- The Wrath & the Dawn series by RenĂ©e Ahdieh – This lush retelling of A Thousand and One Nights transports readers to a world of magic and mystery. Shahrzad volunteers to marry the Caliph, Khalid, who takes a new bride each night only to have her executed at dawn. But Shahrzad has a plan of her own, weaving tales that keep her alive night after night.
- Heartless by Marissa Meyer – Ever wondered what turned the Queen of Hearts into the infamous villain we know from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland? Marissa Meyer brings us the origin story of the Queen, painting a vivid picture of a girl with dreams of opening a bakery, only to have her heart broken and her destiny twisted.
- The Cursebreaker series by Brigid Kemmerer – Beauty and the Beast gets a contemporary makeover in this gripping tale. Harper, a modern-day girl with cerebral palsy, finds herself transported to the magical kingdom of Emberfall, where she must break the curse that traps Prince Rhen in the form of a beast.
- The Lunar Chronicles series by Marissa Meyer – This series takes classic fairy tales like Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, and Snow White, and sets them in a futuristic world threatened by an evil queen. Each book follows a different heroine as they fight for love, justice, and their own happily ever after.
- The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller – Madeline Miller breathes new life into the ancient Greek myth of Achilles and Patroclus. Delve into the epic love story between the greatest warrior of all time and his companion, exploring themes of honor, friendship, and destiny against the backdrop of the Trojan War.
- These Violent Delights series by Chloe Gong – Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet meets 1920s Shanghai in this dazzling reimagining. Amidst the tensions between two rival gangs, Juliette Cai and Roma Montagov find themselves torn between loyalty to their families and a forbidden love that threatens to ignite a city on the brink of revolution.
- The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale – Shannon Hale puts a fresh spin on the Brothers Grimm fairy tale with this enchanting retelling. When Princess Ani is betrayed and forced to work as a goose girl, she must reclaim her identity and her kingdom with the help of newfound friends, magical talents, and a loyal horse named Falada.
- The Star-Touched Queen series by Roshani Chokshi – Inspired by Indian mythology and folklore, this lush and lyrical retelling follows Princess Maya, who is cursed with a horoscope that promises a marriage of death and destruction. As she journeys through a world of magic and mystery, Maya must confront her destiny and embrace her own power.
- Geekerella by Ashley Poston – This charming modern retelling of Cinderella unfolds in the world of fandom and geek culture. When Elle Wittimer wins a cosplay contest to attend the ExcelsiCon ball, she finds herself caught up in a whirlwind romance with the actor playing her favorite sci-fi character, all while dealing with a wicked stepmother and stepsisters.
- Stepsister by Jennifer Donnelly – Set after the events of Cinderella, this empowering retelling follows Isabelle, one of Cinderella’s stepsisters, as she grapples with her identity and seeks redemption. With themes of self-discovery and resilience, Isabelle embarks on a journey to reclaim her own happily ever after.
- Crimson Bound by Rosamund Hodge – Inspired by the classic fairy tale Little Red Riding Hood, this dark and atmospheric retelling follows Rachelle, a bloodbound warrior cursed by a forestborn demon. As she battles both the demon’s influence and her own inner darkness, Rachelle becomes entangled in a web of deceit, magic, and forbidden love.
- Ash by Malinda Lo – In this haunting retelling of Cinderella, Ash, a young girl mourning the death of her parents, finds solace in the company of fairies and the mysterious huntress Kaisa. As she navigates her cruel stepmother’s demands, Ash discovers her own power and agency, forging her own path to freedom and love.
Who doesn’t love a good reimagined classic?
With these reimagined classics, you’re not just revisiting well-known stories; you’re embarking on a journey through familiar tales transformed by innovative twists, richly diverse cultures, and fresh perspectives.
As you turn the pages, you’ll find yourself immersed in landscapes teeming with magic, where enchanted forests whisper secrets and mythical creatures roam. But, it’s not just the fantastical elements that will captivate you; it’s the characters who leap off the page, their struggles, triumphs, and desires resonating with the echoes of our own humanity.
Prepare to be swept away by epic romances that defy societal norms, courageous heroes and heroines who challenge the status quo, and heart-pounding adventures that will keep you on the edge of your seat. These reimagined classics invite you to lose yourself in their pages, to explore worlds where anything is possible and where the power of storytelling knows no bounds.
So, gather your courage, open your heart, and set forth on an unforgettable journey through worlds of magic, romance, and adventure. Your next great adventure awaits between the pages of these reimagined classics. Are you ready for an adventure of a lifetime?